Both Princess and Queen

Serenitia City, The Smith Mansion, second floor.

Clara Smith put on a simple white princess gown and pulled out her compact to admire her lovely reflection.

She tightened her grip on her handkerchief, jaw clenched as she stared at Catherine—the girl she had despised since childhood—and said:

"I'm the real daughter of the Smith family. You're just a fake!"

During last month’s comprehensive medical exam, the Smith family found out that Catherine was not a match for either Oliver Smith or Celeste Brown.

Clara raised the maternity test report she shared with Celeste, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

She had grown up alongside Catherine—so why was she merely the nanny’s daughter while Catherine enjoyed the status of the esteemed Smith family heiress?

Now everything had returned to its rightful place. At last, it was all hers!

Behind Clara, Oliver and Celeste were looking at Catherine.

When Celeste noticed Catherine watching her, she lifted a hand to brush away tears that didn’t exist.

"Catherine, none of us ever imagined Clara was our biological daughter. We can’t bear to lose you, but we have to send you back. I can’t bear the thought of keeping you from your true parents—it would be far too cruel.”

Oliver actually thought it was fine to raise two daughters.

But Celeste pointed out that Catherine had bullied Clara during their childhood, and it wouldn’t be fair to Clara for them to continue living together.

As for Catherine, the moment Oliver spread the word, he received a call from Tranquil County about their missing child.

That accent on the phone was really thick!

Oliver could barely understand what they were saying.

Tranquil County—that was the middle of nowhere, where most residents earned a living through farming!

"Catherine, don’t worry. It’s perfectly okay that your parents are farmers. When I spoke on the phone, I heard chickens clucking in the background, so at least when you’re hungry, you’ll have roasted chicken to eat."

Clara couldn’t stop herself from laughing out loud.

What a poor place!

They even raise chickens!

“Dad, you don’t understand those poor areas—chickens are worth more than people there. How could they possibly eat them whenever they want?”

Clara’s expression radiated superiority.

Catherine had seen right through them a long time ago.

They called it a family medical checkup, but wasn’t it really because Catherine had come of age and the engagement with the Johnsons needed to proceed?

The Johnsons were eager to arrange the engagement, and someone grew impatient, wanting Catherine out of the Smith household to make room for their true daughter, who had been raised under the nanny’s name.

Catherine regarded them with contempt and disdain, speaking with complete detachment.

“I was leaving anyway. No need for this charade. Before I go, return my computer.”

Her expression was serene, her eyes radiant, and every gesture exuded a graceful nobility that Clara could never replicate.

How annoying! What's she showing off for!

“Catherine, your computer is five years old. I wouldn’t even want it. Did you misplace it by mistake?”

The nanny, cook, and driver behind them all chimed in with complaints.

“That’s right. Only someone as petty as Catherine would consider a five-year-old computer valuable.”

“Exactly. Catherine’s heading back to the countryside—they probably don’t even know what a computer is there.”

Clara’s face was brimming with smugness.

Catherine met her gaze calmly, took out her phone, tapped it lightly, and instantly displayed a clear surveillance video.

The footage clearly showed Clara sneaking into Catherine’s room last night, unnoticed, and taking her computer.

In the video, Clara clutched the computer, her face twisted in a scowl.

“Why does Grandma treat only you well? I’m the true Smith family daughter!”

Clara had nothing to say.

Was Catherine crazy? She actually installed surveillance in her own room!

And she caught Clara cursing out her grandmother Elodie Smith.

Celeste quickly shielded Clara behind her, as if Catherine were about to devour her.

“Catherine, you’re being so inconsiderate. This is your home too—how can you install surveillance here? We have plenty of business secrets—what if they accidentally get exposed!”

Hearing Celeste put it that way, Oliver’s expression turned serious.

“Catherine, hand me your phone. I want to see if you’ve set up surveillance anywhere else.”

Catherine was speechless.

She really had no interest in the Smith family's little business.

Right before Oliver, Catherine wiped all the files from her phone and restored it to factory settings.

Oliver felt slightly awkward and chuckled, saying, “I’m not doubting you.”

Catherine said coldly, “Mind your words. You’re no longer my father. Return my computer, and I’ll leave immediately.”

Oliver forced an embarrassed smile and turned to Clara, signaling her to retrieve Catherine’s computer.

Clara muttered, “You won’t even part with this old thing. Tranquil County probably doesn’t even have internet.”

This broken computer wouldn’t even power on, yet Catherine, about to face a difficult life, treated it like a priceless treasure.

Catherine shot her a cool, detached glance.

This computer had been a gift from Elodie, and she had modified it herself later. While it was valuable, it wasn’t something she couldn’t part with.

She could rebuild the computer, and she could easily do without these so-called family members!

It's just that this thing had a different meaning to her.

In the entire Smith family, from top to bottom, everyone favored Clara. Only Elodie had loved her since childhood, giving her a warmth she cherished for life.

But with Elodie’s recent passing, the Smith family had become even less significant to her.

Catherine turned and walked toward the front door, showing no hint of hesitation.

Celeste, who had been ready to say something heartfelt, suddenly felt very embarrassed.

“What kind of attitude is that? Your elders are speaking to you kindly, and you’re making faces. You two grew up together, but your personalities and character are completely different!”

From Oliver, Celeste also discovered that Catherine’s biological parents weren’t faring very well.

She learned that the family was extremely poor, living in one of the country’s most backward, poverty-stricken mountain regions, where the village didn’t even have a proper road.

Catherine’s parents were farmers, she had older siblings at home, and her grandparents were also in poor health.

Going to such a poor and backward family, Catherine definitely wouldn't have a good life.

She'd probably have to support the family at a young age, working like a slave!

Clara’s years of feeling inferior under Catherine’s shadow had transformed into bold confidence. She stood and followed Catherine: “Catherine, I’ll see you out.”

Oliver looked at Celeste with some disapproval.

"Say less. Catherine took care of you and Mom when you were sick before."

Celeste glared at him.

"Took care of us? We provided her with good food and drink—she should mind her own status. I’m just worried she might envy Clara’s marriage. The engagement with the Johnsons should only belong to our true daughter!"

Lucas was engaged to the Smith family, so naturally the match should go to the family’s real daughter—not Catherine, the fake daughter who had hijacked their place!

Besides, Clara had known Lucas since childhood, so their bond was naturally very strong.

Compared to Catherine, Clara, the real daughter, was genuinely thoughtful and considerate. With this opportunity, Clara's true identity was finally recognized, lifting Celeste’s spirits significantly.

Thinking about her own marriage, Clara also played up to them, clutching her handkerchief with a pleased smile.

Clara had loved competing since childhood, particularly taking pleasure in seizing Catherine’s belongings.

From small things like jewelry, food, and clothes, to big things like Oliver and Celeste's affection.

Because she didn’t care, Catherine never took it to heart. She simply thought that Clara had been stealing the spotlight since childhood, and the Smith family just couldn’t see people for who they really were.

As for Lucas Johnson, if Clara hadn’t brought him up, Catherine would have almost forgotten he even existed.

"Clara, you really want every man, don't you."